Independent US Cinema Chain Bans Google Glass

Within days of releasing a Google Glass trailer, companies across the United States began banning the device (even before its release) beginning with a bar in Seattle.

Now, Alamo Drafthouse has wisely banned moviegoers from wearing the device in order to stave off potential piracy.

It was time

“We’ve been talking about this potential ban for over a year,” League told Deadline. “Google Glass did some early demos here in Austin and I tried them out personally. At that time, I recognized the potential piracy problem that they present for cinemas. I decided to put off a decision until we started seeing them in the theater, and that started happening this month.”

The company has long blacklisted talkers and ‘texters’ and famously banned Madonna from its theaters last October when she was texting on her BlackBerry during a screening of the Oscar-winning drama 12 Years a Slave at the New York film festival.

At the end of the day, the decision makes a good deal of sense given the device’s ability to capture video. Earlier this year, a Columbus, Ohio man was interrogated for wearing his Glass in an AMC theater screening of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

Twitter clarification on using Google Glass

Using Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), the CEO responded to questions about moviegoers who use Google Glass as a primary correction of their vision by tweeting, “It will be case by case, but if it is clear when they are on, clear when they are off, will likely be OK.”

“I realize that technology may change and this type of device may eventually become widely adopted and even replace traditional glasses,” he said. “Down the road our policies may have to morph. Given the technology that exists today, however, I decided that banning the device while movies are playing is the best decision for us right now,” said League.

But for now, it’s best to just leave them at home. Underpaid theater employees will be happy to film a cam version of the film after hours for you.